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BRITISH Foreign Secre tary; Mr Douglas Hurd, will today hear plain tive call for help from the desperate parents of more than 220 children affected by a quirkin the British nationality law.
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from Manilasfor three
also likely to he irged to break the dead lock with, China over the financing of the new air- port,and to support a quickening of democratic reforms adamo
But speaking with the Governor Me Chris Patten, beside him. Mr Hurd said he had agreed 19-come to Hongkong for a couple of days' not to announce any great decision but to listen to people as I've done before"
The first people he meets as he drives out of Govern- ment House this morning are likely to be the parents.
the matter would be solved within the framework of the "Memorandum of Under-
Another 12 children are approaching 18 and eight more are approaching 17. -
The parents also claim...standing signed between prime ministers Mr John they have been treated un- fairly in light of the recent Major and Mr Li Peng last British Nationality Selec- July tion Scheme for 50,000 Hongkong families.
Meninakankiks. scheme allows all children under 18 of successfiil 'appli2 cants to have full UK pass-- ports without having to sei
foot in the counsJ;
-- We are looking for a quick answer from Mr Hurd. If no, then we can start to apply for other places.formy.children," said one of the parents
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Legislator Dr Leong Chey hung, who has been cam“. paigning for the children though he did not hold a full Blush passport-mimisen,
ache, would reiterate the case to Mr.Hurd in his'meet →
cillors today, were ing with Legislative Coun-
The Nationality Act
Mr Hurd is to hold talks refuses to grant UK nationwithr Executive and Legisia- ality to children born before tive Councillors and busi- 1983, even if their parents, ness leaders. have acquired full right of--
abode.
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He will meet chairmen of the two municipal councils ... Although most of the and the 19 district boards later today after touring parents accepted an earlier proposal from the Home Of- Clague. Garden Estate fice, which can exercise its Hongkong Housing Society discretion to allow the chil-estate in Tsuen Wan - and dren full UK citizenship, to
Hongkong International set an age limit of 18, they Terminals in Kwai Chung. now fear the limit would apply from the nay of ap provai and not the day uîap plication.
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Since one group lodged applications 12 months ago, seven children have turned 18 and would be disqualified if the age limit was applied from the date of approval.
But he is not scheduled to meet officiams from ilië lu sal branch of the New News Agency.
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Asked if there would be another round of high-level talks with China over air- port-financing, Mr Hurd said discussions on airport projects gains
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He said he was not aware of any linkage between the ampon, problems anů poliü- cal issues.
--It is understood the Chi nese/administration wants In he assured that there will beno-United Democrats ap- pointed to the Executive Council and no increase in the number of directly elect- ed legislators by 1995:-
Mr Hurd said although he would prefer an early deal hey on the Chek Lap Kok air- port, it was important to sort the matter out in a sensible!
He said an agreement would be reached but he did not know when this would take place
A vice-director of the lo- cal branch of the New China News Agency, Mr Zhang Junsheng, said yesterday the branch had not arranged any meeting with Mr. Hurd.
Stressing that he hoped that the deadlock over the airport projects would be re- | solved as soon as possible. Mr Zhang said he had no idea when the Airport Com mittee under the Sino Rei ish Joint Liaison Group would mom-AKAR
Neither Auld ha #all whether the problems could be solved at the committee s next meeung, he said.
**But in the long run and în general, I think the prot- lems could be solved.
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